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Monday, February 3, 2014

Dubai residential sales prices up 60% in 2013 says Asteco Q4 report

Annual
apartment rental rates in Dubai increase by almost 50%, villas by 20% in 2013 Current
sales prices still 21% lower than 2008 peak

25,000
new units coming to market will slow rate of increase in 2014

Quality residential
developments in Dubai ended 2013 with a strong Q4 performance to put average residential
sales prices up by 60% year-on-year. Dubai’s leasing market was no less
impressive in 2013, with an average increase across all residential apartments
and villas of close to 50% and 20% respectively.

“Sales prices for apartments
and villas rose by 23% in Q4 2013 alone, fuelled by increased confidence and
the fact that the new law regulating maximum LTVs was not being consistently
enforced, although cash buyers still dominated,”said
John Stevens, Managing Director, Asteco Property Management

“Owner occupiers and
investors were keen to enter the market as rental rates were on an upward
trend, which indicated better returns and potential for capital appreciation in
the medium term,” added Stevens.

The areas that came out on
top for villa sales year-on-year were the Palm Jumeirah which jumped 67%
reaching AED 3,000 per square foot and Jumeirah Village Circle which rose 55%
achieving AED 850 per square foot. The rest of the freehold markets grew between
22% and 30%.

In terms of apartment sales Discovery
Gardens increased by 83% to AED 825 per square foot, followed closely by Dubai
Marina with growth of 81% at AED 1,900 per square foot and Downtown Dubai which
recorded a 69% increase, rising to AED 2,200 per square foot.

“We anticipate that 2014 will see a continuation of the
trend witnessed in the previous year with sales prices increasing, albeit at a
slower pace, as approximately 25,000 residential units are forecast for
completion this year,” commented Stevens.

The residential leasing
market also witnessed significant growth across all developments researched
with average prices up by 22% for apartments and 6% for villas in Q4 2013.

Rental growth was driven
partially by continued unrest in the region, Dubai’s winning Expo 2020 bid and
an expanding economy. In addition new road networks and facilities such as
parks, retail, health clinics and schools, have created more demand for
previously unpopular communities.

The highest growth rates
year-on-year for villas were recorded in Mirdif, where a three-bedroom unit now
costs AED 140,000 on average per annum, a 40% increase; villas in Arabian
Ranches rose 30% to an average of AED 215,000 per annum for a three-bedroom
house. The most expensive area remains The Palm Jumeirah – a three-bedroom
villa there costs AED 350,000 per annum on average.

Apartment rental rates grew
most in International City, with a 76% increase up to AED 45,000 annually for a
one-bedroom unit; Jumeirah Lake Towers followed with 50% growth, on average a
one-bedroom apartment now leases for up to AED 95,000 per annum. Discovery
Gardens grew by 44% on average since last year, with the rental rate for one-bedroom
flat now up to AED 75,000 per annum.

In contrast to the
residential market, the commercial market saw little movement during 2013.
Overall leasing activity was relatively slow, but significant improvements were
witnessed in terms of the amount of enquiries and size requirements.Asteco believes that the market has now
bottomed out and expects to see some growth over the short to medium term,
especially for single owned and managed buildings.

Asteco, a major regional and
international real estate services firm and the largest property services
company in the United Arab Emirates,
was founded in Dubai in 1985.Asteco offers independent market analysis,
design development consultancy and valuation services, sales and leasing
services, as well as asset and property management services.